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Topic Review (Newest First)

01-04-2014 04:34 PM

Stassie'smama

Thank you for directing me to the puppy biting sticky, MaggieRoseLee! She has a pretty soft, gentle bite so far, but I know that can change as she grows and these tips will certainly come in handy.

We opted for a puppy rather than an older rescue because we wanted to make sure our senior remained top dog. As of a couple weeks ago she's been in amazing health for her age. People always think she's 5 years younger. We planned on limiting contact with the puppy but thought they would be okay together in short spurts. We never even contemplated the senior dog being the puppy's playmate, especially now that she's starting to really slow down.

Our senior dog is a grazer because it's in her breed (Husky)...she's always been this way since a puppy so we just followed the vet's advice to always leave her food available to her and ensure treats have high nutritional value. With that being said, she does enjoy a few nibbles fairly regularly when we eat our dinner so we are utilizing the crate or gate to allow her to still do that in peace when she wants.

Thank you again for all the tips and advice. We are not concerned about the aggression anymore not just because we are getting to know her better and she is such a love with us but because of the reassurance here that her intensity with our other dog is totally normal for GSD pups. As soon as she is completely vaccinated we will begin puppy classes so she can socialize with other dogs and if there are any issues we will address it. And it certainly helps knowing there is a great forum we can turn to with great information specific to GSDs!

One last question: if anyone has an up to date book(s) you recommend on raising GSDs I'd love to get it for our library.

This is what I had to do too, when I brought my little ball of fun home. DH's dog is an older American Bulldog and she wasn't impressed with the youngster at all, especially when he'd latch onto her floppy lips and pull them out like bat wings. I was just as adamant that he leave her alone as I was with the houseplants and electrical cords - redirecting him every time. Now that he's 2 he's very good about not looking to her for play, he plays with me instead. She has bad hips, so it was very important that he learn this. Good luck

Ideally, we would have waited until our old girl passed to get the puppy but my husband is an on-call firefighter who is gone all hours of the night and his full time job is ramping up his travel schedule this year. With little ones at home we needed some protection. There have been some break-ins in our neighborhood recently, leaving us feeling a bit vulnerable. My family has been trading off time with our old girl one on one while the others are with the puppy so she doesn't feel isolated or replaced. Thanks again for the help!

If you waited for an ideal time, you would never have a dog.

Just a side note: It will be at least a year before you even have a dog that will be a deterrent. More like two before you see any defense from her. If you wanted a dog as protection, you probably should have gone with an adult.

Where do you feed the puppy? Seger gets fed in his crate. Not because our adults will take his food, but because he doesn't know to stay out of theirs. He is not released until they are done eating. So give your senior her food and when she walks away, pick it up and then let her out.

And in regards to the food, I've already separated that and pick up the dishes when they are done eating. Unfortunately, our old girl has always been a grazer so I'm going to have put her food down when the puppy has outside play time or crate time and then pick it back up when the puppy is out and about.

That will work, though it wouldn't for me in my house. If your older dog is a grazer, it's because they aren't hungry! So I'd just change it up and start having mealtimes in the house.

Glad you are seeing that your puppy is just playing. And it's your 'job' to play with your puppy not your older dog (though they may start up as they get more used to each other). Be aware that GSD puppies really do bite hard (bleeding hard) when they play ................. but it's still PLAY.

And in regards to the food, I've already separated that and pick up the dishes when they are done eating. Unfortunately, our old girl has always been a grazer so I'm going to have put her food down when the puppy has outside play time or crate time and then pick it back up when the puppy is out and about.

01-03-2014 06:02 PM

Stassie'smama

Thank you everyone for taking the time to give me advice on this matter. I will definitely stick to redirecting rather than laying her on her side first. I'm glad to hear this isn't a sign of an aggressive dog. It certainly didn't seem like she was playing as the first time it was over my older dog's food dish and the second scenario could have been territorial of the space on the couch with me. Her tail wasn't wagging at all and her bark was different, but we are just getting to know each other and we certainly could be misreading the behavior.

Ideally, we would have waited until our old girl passed to get the puppy but my husband is an on-call firefighter who is gone all hours of the night and his full time job is ramping up his travel schedule this year. With little ones at home we needed some protection. There have been some break-ins in our neighborhood recently, leaving us feeling a bit vulnerable. My family has been trading off time with our old girl one on one while the others are with the puppy so she doesn't feel isolated or replaced. Thanks again for the help!

01-03-2014 06:02 PM

carmspack

the senior dog deserves more respect than to be mauled by a puppy.

keep them separated .

01-03-2014 05:48 PM

Jax08

In my opinion, a 14 yr old dog does not need to put up with puppy behavior. I had my deposit for Seger in the mailbox the night before we lost our senior so I didn't experience it but our thoughts were to keep them separated just so she didn't have to deal with it. I think you should redirect and engage the puppy as soon as she starts. Laying next to your senior is fine. Playing gently is fine. Any rough play should immediately get redirected.

01-03-2014 05:44 PM

Stevenzachsmom

Yes. It is normal GSD puppy behavior. Please stop putting the puppy on her side. She is not being aggressive. She is playing. 9 weeks is much too young to even consider aggression. Just redirect her, if she starts getting to rough. Give you senior dog a break from her, if need be. Put the pup in a crate or gate her in another room.

01-03-2014 05:41 PM

Jax08

That is an "alpha roll" and completely worthless. She's a puppy. Redirect her with a toy and teach her what is appropriate. She'll learn. It took a couple weeks for my puppy to learn not to drag the cat thru the house by his tail.

No, it does not mean you'll have an aggressive dog. It means you have a puppy. Congratulations on your landshark!

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